Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2039: District Attorneys - As enacted, eliminates the fraud and economic crimes fees and assessments in criminal prosecutions for counties that have enacted a $12.50 court cost to be used for supplemental funding for the district attorney general's office; requires existing funds in fraud and economic crimes prosecution fund to be remitted back to the county government of original assessment and collection. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 3.

SB 2039 eliminates fraud and economic crimes fees in Tennessee counties that have implemented a $12.50 court cost. These counties will no longer collect those fees, and any existing funds in the fraud prosecution fund must be returned to the county government. The bill requires district attorneys to hold these funds until the $12.50 court cost funds equal the fraud fund balance, at which point the full amount reverts to the county. This directly affects counties using the $12.50 fee and district attorney offices managing related funds.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeDefunds fraud prosecution fund by redirecting fees to counties, reducing DA funding for economic crimes cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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failed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1958: Remedies and Special Proceedings - As enacted, removes the right of a cause of action for any affected person who seeks declaratory and injunctive relief in any action brought regarding the legality or constitutionality of a state governmental action; authorizes such an action against a political subdivision of this state; does not limit any other cause of action or waiver of sovereign immunity to vindicate rights under the Tennessee Constitution or the United States Constitution. - Amends TCA Title 1, Chapter 3 and Title 49.

SB 1958 removes the right for individuals to seek court orders (declaratory or injunctive relief) challenging the constitutionality or legality of state government actions, including state statutes. It directly affects people or groups trying to legally challenge state laws or actions in court. The bill preserves Tennessee’s sovereign immunity (meaning the state cannot be sued) and creates a limited exception only for challenges against *local* governments (like cities or counties), but still prohibits lawsuits seeking damages or challenging state laws. It amends specific Tennessee Code sections to clarify these restrictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves right to challenge state law constitutionality, restricting defendant rights and legal avenues for criminal justice reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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died · Tennessee · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 1634: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, removes the requirement for a petitioner for restoration of citizenship or an applicant for a certificate of employability to pay the costs of the proceedings. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 29.

SB 1634 removes court fees for two specific legal processes in Tennessee: restoring citizenship (for individuals like veterans who lost rights) and obtaining a certificate of employability (to help people with criminal records secure jobs). It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 40-29-103(f) and 40-29-107(c) to state that "there is no cost to a petitioner" for these proceedings. The bill directly affects applicants seeking these legal remedies by eliminating associated court costs. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and is not a procedural resolution but a policy change removing financial barriers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves court fees for citizenship restoration and employability certificates, reducing financial barriers to reentry and aligning with criminal justice reform goals like rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRemoves court fees for veterans seeking citizenship restoration and employability certificates, directly aiding veteran employment and rights restoration per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 1740: Courts, Juvenile - As enacted, expands the disposition allowed when a person under 21 is found to have unlawfully purchased, possessed, accepted receipt of, or presented fraudulent proof of age to purchase tobacco, smoking hemp, a vapor product, or a smokeless nicotine product to include requiring community service work, the successful completion of a prescribed court program, or placing the person on an informal adjustment for a period of 90 days for a first violation, and, for a second or subsequent violation, placing the person on probation for up to six months in addition to requiring community service and the successful completion of a prescribed court program focusing on the dangers of tobacco and vapor products. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 15.

SB 1740 changes penalties for individuals under 21 who illegally purchase or possess tobacco, vaping, or nicotine products. For a first violation, courts may now require community service (up to 50 hours), completion of a court program about product dangers, or a 90-day informal adjustment. For second or subsequent violations, courts must add up to six months of probation (along with community service and the program). Parents or guardians of minors may face a $10-$50 civil penalty, and the law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeShifts penalties to rehabilitation-focused alternatives (community service, education programs) for juvenile tobacco offenses, reducing punitive measures and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 1801: Election Laws - As introduced, restores a person's right of suffrage automatically upon the person's discharge from custody by reason of service or expiration of the maximum sentence imposed by the court for the infamous crime. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 40.

SB 1801 automatically restores voting rights for people released from prison after serving a sentence for a "serious crime" (as defined by Tennessee law), without requiring a pardon or special conditions. It directly affects individuals convicted of such crimes who have completed their sentences or been discharged from custody. The key provision requires county election commissions to accept prison discharge documents as proof of restored voting rights, replacing previous requirements for gubernatorial pardons or court orders. This change applies to people released after the bill takes effect, streamlining the process for rejoining the electorate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestores voting rights automatically for formerly incarcerated individuals post-sentence, advancing reintegration and civil rights - core criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Courts

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1475: Evidence - As introduced, prohibits a court from excluding evidence against a criminal defendant unless the evidence was obtained by deliberate, reckless, or grossly negligent conduct or recurring or systemic negligence that violated the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and refusal to suppress the evidence would contradict a clearly established holding of the United States supreme court; establishes an immediate interlocutory appeal to the Tennessee supreme court when a court grants a motion to suppress evidence. - Amends TCA Title 40.

HB 1475 limits when Tennessee courts can exclude evidence in criminal cases. It prohibits excluding evidence unless it was obtained through deliberate, reckless, or grossly negligent conduct violating the Fourth Amendment, or recurring/systemic negligence, and refusing to exclude it would contradict a clear U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The bill also creates an immediate appeal for prosecutors to the Tennessee Supreme Court when a judge suppresses evidence, requiring the court to expedite the review. This aligns Tennessee's evidence rules strictly with federal standards, preventing state courts from imposing stricter exclusion rules than those set by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts evidence suppression, reducing defendant rights in criminal cases by limiting when courts can exclude illegally obtained evidence.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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signed · Tennessee · House May 15, 2026

HB 1525: Sentencing - As enacted, requires a sentencing court to order the sentences for two or more offenses involving more than one minor victim to run consecutively unless the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the facts of the case do not warrant the imposition of consecutive sentences and the imposition of consecutive sentences would not be in the best interest of justice. - Amends TCA Title 40.

HB 1525 requires Tennessee courts to impose consecutive sentences for defendants convicted of two or more offenses involving more than one minor victim, unless the court finds by a preponderance of evidence that consecutive sentencing isn't warranted and would harm justice. It directly affects defendants convicted of multiple crimes against minors, such as sexual offenses or abuse across separate incidents. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 40, Section 40-35-115, making consecutive sentencing the default for these cases. Exceptions are limited to specific judicial findings about case facts and the "best interest of justice," not general discretion. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates consecutive sentences for multiple minor offenses, increasing penalties and restricting judicial discretion per TCA 40-35-115.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1599: Criminal Procedure - As introduced, prohibits a court from assessing court costs against a defendant in a criminal proceeding if the defendant is found not guilty by a jury or by a judge following a bench trial on all charges for which the defendant was accused, the prosecution is dismissed or a nolle prosequi is entered by the state, or the charges against the defendant are dismissed by the court. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1599 prohibits Tennessee courts from charging defendants with court costs in criminal cases when the defendant is found not guilty (by jury or judge), charges are dismissed by the prosecution or court, or the state enters a nolle prosequi. It directly affects criminal defendants who are acquitted or have charges dropped, ensuring they won't face additional financial penalties for those outcomes. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-11-102 and 40-25-123 to establish this rule, effective July 1, 2026. This policy change removes a financial burden for acquitted defendants, aligning court cost assessments with case outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents court costs for acquitted defendants, protecting civil rights by removing financial penalties for non-guilty outcomes in criminal proceedings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1864: Private Protective Services - As enacted, adds stalking to the crimes for which an individual who has been convicted must have completed serving the individual's sentence or court-ordered probation at least five years prior to applying for a registration card to perform the duties of a security guard or officer; makes other changes related to security guards and officers. - Amends TCA Title 62, Chapter 35.

SB 1864 modifies Tennessee's security guard licensing rules by adding stalking to the list of crimes requiring a five-year waiting period after completing a sentence or probation before an applicant can register. It also disqualifies applicants from security guard registration if they are listed on a state or out-of-state abuse registry or have firearm prohibitions (like orders of protection). The bill updates requirements for security guards to report arrests or convictions related to specified offenses within 10 days. These changes directly affect individuals seeking security guard licenses who have certain criminal histories.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds stalking to disqualifying crimes for security guards, requiring 5-year waiting period to enhance public safety and restrict access for individuals with certain criminal histories.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Firearms

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1814: DUI Offenses - As introduced, allows a person convicted of driving under the influence of an intoxicant involving alcohol or opioids to agree to receive naltrexone injections at the person's own expense for a period of 12 continuous months in lieu of being required to operate only a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 40 and Title 55, Chapter 10.

HB 1814 allows courts to let individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) involving alcohol or opioids choose between two options: using a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device or receiving naltrexone injections for 12 months at their own expense. If the person opts for naltrexone, the court must include reporting requirements for the treatment as a probation condition, and failure to comply could lead to probation revocation. The bill directly affects DUI offenders in Tennessee who face sentencing for alcohol or opioid-related violations. It amends Tennessee law to provide this alternative to ignition interlock devices, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill offers treatment (naltrexone) as alternative to punitive ignition interlock, promoting rehabilitation for DUI offenders with substance use, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Probation & Parole

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